Euro Previews: ‘Highlands’ — Cinebook’s Swords And Portraiture Saga Begins

by Richard Bruton

The first of two volumes of Euro comics historical fiction from Cinebook sees an artist returning to his native Scotland in the mid-18th Century finds that his art leads him down a dangerous path…

Yes, Highlands sees paint, portraiture, and the politics of jealousy combine when painter Joseph Callander returns to his native Scotland in 1743 after 15 years in Italy. All he wants to do is make a living from his art without getting involved in the political rivalries that have devoured Scotland.

But this is the time of the Jacobite rebellion against the Act of Union with England and, no matter what he wants, Joseph will find himself ensnared by the events of the time. And it will be his painting that will be his downfall in this tragedy of love, ambition, politics, and betrayal.

Across two volumes, Highlands takes Joseph into the dangerous world where rebellion meets ambition. The Duke of Plaxton, member of Clan Grant and supporter of the Act of Union with England, requires a portrait painter. The Duke’s daughter, Amelia, is betrothed to an English lord she has never met.

Passion and painting, love and betrayal, it all comes together in Highlands, and Joseph will find he has no choice but to swap palette and brush for sword and shield – all because of the portrait of Amelia.